Indiana farmers connect with diverse global customers at Soy Connext 2025 

By Erin Worrell, Communications Manager, U.S. Soybean Export Council 

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) brings U.S. Soy buyers, sellers, growers and visionaries together every year for the premier global industry event: Soy Connext. 

Against a backdrop of changing trade dynamics and increasing global demand for reliable, high-quality soy protein and oil, the 2025 event gathered more than 700 attendees from 59 countries in Washington D.C., August 20-22, with invaluable support from Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) sponsorship. 

U.S. Soy is America’s top agricultural export, contributing $31.2 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-24 marketing year and traded in more than 80 countries. Fueled by rising global demand for soybean meal to support the expansion of global livestock, aquaculture and poultry production, USDA projects a 4.3 percent year-over-year increase in global soybean demand in the 2024-25 market year, reaching 346.2 million metric tons. 

“Indiana exports roughly 40 percent of the soybeans raised here,” explained Derika Lynam-Spaetti, an ISA board director who farms near Richland City, Ind., and attended Soy Connext. “Connecting with international customers builds rapport and trust in U.S. Soy. They have told us that they like to meet with the people growing the product they buy.” 

The Soy Connext agenda featured expert talks, panel discussions focused on sustainability, plant-based protein trends, supply chain insights and global market dynamics. Plus, the Trade Team Invitational connected 315 key buyers and 43 exporter companies to strengthen trade relationships and explore market opportunities. 

U.S. Soy customers and exporters value the insights gained during Soy Connext sessions. But opportunities to connect with others in the industry really make the event shine. Attendees got a real-time crop update from a farmer panel during the program. Plus, the “Ask a Farmer” lounge made it easy for customers to meet face-to-face with U.S. Soy farmers. 

“The USSEC Korea managing director pulled me into a conversation with several Korean customers,” Lynam-Spaetti said. “I recently traveled to South Korea, so I am somewhat familiar with their market. The customers asked about my farm, why I farm, and my thoughts on current market predictions.” 

In addition to time in Washington, D.C., many international attendees participated in trade team tours before or after the conference. The visits highlighted the U.S. soybean industry’s transparency and readiness to meet global demand, giving international buyers a firsthand look at the sustainable practices, innovation and stewardship that are core to the U.S. Soy value proposition. 

For instance, a team from Taiwan visited an Indiana farm, two specialty grain merchandisers and the Indiana Soybean Alliance office just prior to Soy Connext. 

QSSB support is integral to the Soy Connext program and bringing the most important customers to the United States. 

“Networking and building relationships with buyers will grow and maintain our markets, and that’s part of the reason Indiana Soybean Alliance sponsored Soy Connext,” Lynam-Spaetti added. “For every $1 of the Soy Checkoff we invest, we get an average return of more than $12. Soy Connext helps open new markets.” 

Indiana farmers also will see a return on this investment as USSEC emphasizes the consistency, reliability, quality and sustainability of U.S. Soy. As demand for soy foods and soy products grows in emerging, expanding and established markets, the industry is focused on a strategy that builds on U.S. Soy’s reputation in the global marketplace.